Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 171: Physician Assistant Amendments

HB 171 clarifies that insurance plans must allow patients to select physician assistants (PAs) as primary care providers without higher costs or barriers. It amends Utah law to explicitly include PAs in insurance coverage requirements for primary care, ensuring they are recognized alongside physicians, obstetricians, gynecologists, and pediatricians. The bill requires insurers to cover PA services as primary care under the same terms as other providers, preventing higher premiums or copays for choosing a PA. This affects patients seeking primary care and insurance companies operating in Utah, with the changes taking effect May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures insurance coverage for PA primary care without cost barriers, expanding patient access to healthcare services as required by amended law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 98: Substance Use Rehabilitation Amendments

SB 98 creates a voluntary certification program for employers to become "recovery ready workplaces," administered by Utah's Department of Health and Human Services. Employers seeking certification must implement specific practices, including preventing workplace factors that contribute to substance use disorders, reducing stigma, providing employee education, making naloxone (an opiate antagonist) available, and supporting employees accessing treatment. The bill authorizes the department to establish application criteria and an application process, with potential funding from the Electronic Cigarette Substance and Nicotine Product Proceeds Restricted Account. This program directly affects employers who choose to participate, aiming to improve workplace support for employees with substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates employer practices supporting substance use treatment access, naloxone availability, and stigma reduction - directly advancing public health and mental health services via workplace programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates naloxone availability and treatment support in workplaces, directly improving employee health safety and reducing stigma per Labor & Employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Professional Licensing

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 270: Healthcare Worker Post-Employment Amendments

HB 270 voids non-compete agreements between employers and licensed healthcare workers in Utah, effective May 6, 2026. It specifically targets agreements that restrict healthcare workers - such as nurses, doctors, therapists, and counselors - from practicing in certain areas or for specific time periods after leaving a job. The bill also makes void certain nonsolicitation agreements between employers and healthcare workers under defined circumstances. This applies to all 35+ licensed healthcare professions listed in the bill, including advanced practice nurses, psychologists, and physical therapists, without creating new financial obligations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareVoids non-compete agreements for healthcare workers, removing barriers to practice and improving access to care for patients.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentVoids non-compete agreements restricting healthcare workers' post-employment mobility, protecting their employment rights and workplace freedom.95% confidence

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 389: Cannabis Amendments

HB 389 amends Utah's medical cannabis laws to simplify licensing for processors, allowing them to make cannabinoid (hemp) products without an extra license. It creates a new fee on medical cannabis purchases for enforcement, moves oversight of the medical cannabis program to the Department of Agriculture and Food, and allows low-THC products (under 0.3% THC) to be sold by pharmacies. The bill also enables patients to get medical cannabis cards via virtual doctor visits and renames the licensing board to the Specialized Product Authority Licensing Board. These changes directly affect medical cannabis processors, pharmacies, patients, and state agencies managing the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands patient access via virtual appointments and pharmacy sales of low-THC products, improving healthcare service availability for medical cannabis patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

signed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 259: Parental Access to Children's Medical Records Amendments

This bill requires Utah healthcare facilities to provide parents or legal guardians full access to minors' electronic medical records, unless exceptions apply (such as a minor's consent for specific treatments, a court order, or if the parent isn't legally authorized under state/federal law). It mandates electronic health record vendors to ensure systems support this access and authorizes the attorney general to enforce compliance with fines up to $10,000 per day. Facilities must also provide paper records free of charge upon request if electronic access is restricted. The law takes effect May 6, 2026, and aligns with federal privacy standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates parental access to minors' medical records, improving caregiver access to health information and aligning with patient rights protections in healthcare services.90% confidence

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 170: Vitamin K Amendments

SB 170 requires healthcare providers and unlicensed midwives to administer vitamin K to newborn infants within 24 hours of birth. Parents may decline this administration by signing a form acknowledging the risks of not receiving vitamin K, which must be included in the infant's medical record. The bill defines key terms like "health care provider" and "unlicensed direct-entry midwife" and applies to all newborns in Utah. This directly affects newborns, their caregivers, and healthcare providers during delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates vitamin K administration for newborns to prevent hemorrhagic disease, a standard preventive health measure protecting infant health and aligning with medical best practices.95% confidence

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 127: Pediatric Care Amendments

SB 127 requires all Utah hospital emergency departments to implement specific pediatric care standards. It mandates policies for pediatric triage, dosing, equipment use, and annual staff training with clinical simulations. Each ER must appoint a pediatric care coordinator (a licensed physician, PA, or nurse) and conduct annual readiness assessments using the National Pediatric Readiness Project framework, reporting results to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. The bureau will collect data and establish minimum safety rules for pediatric care in ERs, with $278,000 reallocated from existing state funds for implementation. The bill directly affects all general acute hospital emergency departments across Utah.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates pediatric care standards in ERs including triage, training, and readiness assessments, directly strengthening healthcare service quality and patient safety for children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 257: Opiate Information Amendments

HB 257 requires pharmacies, not the state, to provide patients receiving opiate prescriptions with a pamphlet covering addiction risks, safe storage/disposal methods, pain management alternatives, naloxone benefits, and substance use disorder resources. The pamphlets must be written in simple language, available in multiple languages, and periodically reviewed for effectiveness. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new state funding required. It directly affects pharmacies dispensing opiates and patients receiving such prescriptions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates pharmacies to provide patient education on opioid risks, safe use, and resources, directly improving patient safety and access to harm reduction information within healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 87: Naloxone Amendments

SB 87 allows healthcare providers and overdose outreach groups to legally administer or dispense **expired naloxone** (up to 24 months past expiration) without fear of legal liability, as long as it’s done in good faith during an overdose emergency. It specifically extends immunity from civil lawsuits or criminal charges for using expired naloxone, clarifies that prescribing/dispensing expired naloxone isn’t unprofessional conduct, and requires providers to educate recipients on its safety, efficacy, and risks. The bill directly affects **licensed healthcare professionals, overdose outreach programs, and individuals at high risk of opioid overdose** (or their family/friends who may assist them). Key provisions include permitting expired naloxone use under standing prescriptions and ensuring providers give clear instructions on overdose response. The law does not change existing rules for non-expired naloxone.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves legal barriers for using expired naloxone in overdose emergencies, improving access to life-saving treatment and protecting providers who act in good faith during opioid crises.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 383: Department of Health and Human Services Amendments

HB 383 amends Utah's Health and Human Services code to clarify operational procedures within the department. It removes rulemaking authority from the Primary Care Grant Committee, clarifies membership and independence for the Compassionate Use Board and Health Workforce Advisory Council, and updates rules for Medicaid dental benefits and disability service funding transitions. The bill also specifies that the department may establish rules for congregate care ombudsman services and clarifies hospital transfer procedures for individuals in correctional custody. These changes affect department staff, advisory boards, healthcare providers, and service recipients, but the bill contains no new funding or significant policy shifts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates Medicaid dental benefits and disability funding rules, clarifying procedures to maintain service access without defunding85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Primary Care